Best Team in Sports History?

[ray]

Spawned from a previous claim by a certain fanatic here on the boards, I was curious to see, in writing, statistics of all teams past and present that could potentially qualify as the best team in sports history.

I have found a website that lists Manchester United's accomplishments. To be honest, I think this would be tough to beat not only because the team has been around for over a century, but because their sheer number of championships is overwhelming.

Manchester United Football Club: Founded in 1878

In addition to their long history of accomplishments, Manchester United Football Club has more than 200 officially recognized branches of the Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC) in more than 24 countries.

http://www.manutd.com/supportersunited/club.sps?iType=493&icustompageid=834

League Champions:
1907-08, 1910-11, 1951-52, 1955-56, 1956-57, 1964-65, 1966-67, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03.

Charity Shield Winners:
1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, 1977, 1983, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003.

FA Cup Winners:
1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003

League Cup Winners:
1992

UEFA Champions:
1968, 1999

Winner of UEFA's Cup Winners' Cup:
1990/91

Winner of European Super Cup:
1991

Winner of World Club Cup:
1999

[ray]

New York Yankees

Known As
New York Yankees (1913-present)
New York Highlanders (1903-1912)
Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902)

World Championships:
1923, 1927-1928, 1932, 1936-1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961-1962, 1977-1978, 1996, 1998-2000

[Butch]

New York Yankees

Known As
New York Yankees (1913-present)
New York Highlanders (1903-1912)
Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902)

World Championships:
1923, 1927-1928, 1932, 1936-1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961-1962, 1977-1978, 1996, 1998-2000

I'm a bit biased, but I've gotta go with the Yanks here . . . now, I'm not clear how European soccer seasons work, but do they operate on a schedule similar to the NHL or NBA that straddles years? It would seem that way given that the years you quote for their league championships never span more than 2 years at a time even though there are back-to-back 2 year spans.

Further, one thing to consider is that when the Yanks win the World Series, they are beating the best competition the world has to offer given that MLB is clearly the best baseball league in the world. The Yanks could probably also beat any National team that could be cobbled together . . . they already have All-Stars at nearly all positions . . . damn 2nd base . . . Manchester United, however, could probably not make that claim . . . just look at the Brazilian National Team.

Lastly, the Yanks have also been around for over 100 years and have had a history of consistent success . . .

One thing Man U has on the Yanks, however, is that soccer is a more universally played sport than baseball is. However, there are professional baseball leagues all around the world (even in Europe) . . . there are just none that compare to MLB (Japan's is closest . . . often considered somewhere between AAA-MLB quality).

Edit: When listing the Yanks accomplishments, I think you should also list all of their League Championships in addition to their World Championships . . . it seems the listings for Man U include equivalent honors . . . ;)

[DaFunkyUnit]

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=678631&highlight=arsenal#post678631

[Grubbie]

Further, one thing to consider is that when the Yanks win the World Series, they are beating the best competition the world has to offer given that MLB is clearly the best baseball league in the world. The Yanks could probably also beat any National team that could be cobbled together . . . they already have All-Stars at nearly all positions . . . damn 2nd base . . . Manchester United, however, could probably not make that claim . . . just look at the Brazilian National Team.

Lastly, the Yanks have also been around for over 100 years and have had a history of consistent success . . .

Edit: When listing the Yanks accomplishments, I think you should also list all of their League Championships in addition to their World Championships . . . it seems the listings for Man U include equivalent honors . . . ;)

The difference is with the Man U vs Brazil, that is saying the Yanks vs the Dominacan or the United States. The yanks would get KILLED. The pitching for the national teams would be dominate followed by an all star team. The yanks are getting closer to trying to field an all star team, but they coulnd't hold up against a National team. Both Man U and the Yanks would hold up the same against a country.

The reason why Man U has all the championships and other honors is that in baseball there is no other playoff or tournament. In soccer they have the UEFA, Champions League, FA Cup, and so forth. Winning the AL penant is just on the road to the World Series.

Man U had a 30 year drought in their championships.

We also need to remember the canadians, they won 26 times, I belive the same ammount as the yanks.


And the last note, the Charity Shield shouldn't be on that list, it is now know as the Community Shield, it is mostly a preseason game between the winners of the Premership and the FA cup. This year it was arsenal vs man u. Ya it is a tropy, but it is like having a game between the Yanks and Redsox on before opening day and giving out a trophy to the winner. The game doesn't mean anything

[slaus]

Actually the Canadians have won fewer championships than the Yankees.

[nickel]

New York Yankees

Known As
New York Yankees (1913-present)
New York Highlanders (1903-1912)
Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902)

World Championships:
1923, 1927-1928, 1932, 1936-1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961-1962, 1977-1978, 1996, 1998-2000
:stupid:

i love me some Yankees :)

[Butch]

The difference is with the Man U vs Brazil, that is saying the Yanks vs the Dominacan or the United States. The yanks would get KILLED. The pitching for the national teams would be dominate followed by an all star team. The yanks are getting closer to trying to field an all star team, but they coulnd't hold up against a National team. Both Man U and the Yanks would hold up the same against a country.

Can't say I'd agree that the Yanks would get killed. Keep in mind, you can only have one pitcher at a time in the game . . . and the Yanks have certainly faced and beat any pitcher they could throw up there. In a 1 game playoff, I'd say there would be about a 50/50 shot of the Yanks beating any National Team. If you're talking a 7 game series, however, the odds drop considerably given that the pitching on a National Team would be deeper than the Yanks'.

[whitak24]

i think it's difficult to pick out a "best team" in all sports in the entire world. there are so many factors to consider and such vast differences between different sports and different leagues.

that doesn't mean the arguments aren't interesting, but i don't really see that you can conclusively say that an american baseball team is better than a british soccer team, etc.

[attgig]

i'm going for the pre-emptive strike here.... no jelo, it is not the lakers.

[baggio248]

FA Cup Winners:
1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999.


And now add 2003. They won it again 3-0. They are like the Yankees of the soccer world. They are the richest team in soccer world. I watched the semi-finals against Arsenal and the finals against Millwall.

[HmpDeeHmp]

Seems to me like this is a case of comparing apples to oranges to bananas to grapes... :shrug:

Not only is each sport different regarding the rules and such, there's other factors involved such as salary caps in some sports, frequent free agency in today's markets as opposed to back in the day, athletes being bigger and stronger in today's modern era (did someone say BALCO? :D ), etc.

Even comparing greatest teams of all-time within the same sport is hard to do. How can we quantify in scientific terms that Barry Bonds is in fact better than Babe Ruth without a shadow of a doubt? How can you compare the pitching and talent level that Babe Ruth got back then to what Barry's getting today? Stuff like this is just impossible especially since statistics can be quite misleading.

Very interesting topic though. :)

[ray]

Seems to me like this is a case of comparing apples to oranges to bananas to grapes... :shrug:

Not only is each sport different regarding the rules and such, there's other factors involved such as salary caps in some sports, frequent free agency in today's markets as opposed to back in the day, athletes being bigger and stronger in today's modern era (did someone say BALCO? :D ), etc.

Very interesting topic though. :)

Agreed, but looking at it historically. The Yankees are by far the best baseball team. Manchester United is probably arguably the best soccer team. Then take into account things like worldwide exposure, name recognition, etc and you've got yourself the best team in sports history, imho.

[bachviet]

I have to pick Man. U. over the Yankees not only because of the championships they won but the fan base they have.

[ray]

I have to pick Man. U. over the Yankees not only because of the championships they won but the fan base they have.

Heathen! You didn't say the Clippers! :rolleyes:

[bachviet]

Heathen! You didn't say the Clippers! :rolleyes:
Not until they leave LA and the owner behind. :disa:

[ray]

Not until they leave LA and the owner behind. :disa:

I believe you have this backwards. The Lakers should be the team leaving Los Angeles...

[brainsmile]

definitely not the lakers

[Showtime]

LOL!

You deny the truth? How many would rather watch soccer or baseball over basketball? Liars! The Lakeshow is heading for 15 titles. No questions here about us playing any natl team. We would spank them. And F international rules. Good Ole USA NBA Basketball is the only try bball on the planet.
Only the Celtics have more titles (1 more) and most of them from the the pre Magice/Bird era. Did you know the Lakers have appeared in half of all title matches? Yankees have appeared in what percentage of championships? Since 1980 no one has more and this year the Lakeshow adds one more and the Yankees.... don't.
Take away some of those Man titles or I should be able to add in the Western Conference and Pac titles too. It's just a matter of time till you see the question raised in SI etc., "Are the Lakers the greatest sports franchise of all time?"

In closing soccer is not a sport and baseball is only good when the Dodgers are sneaking in a Penant.

Size em up!

-jel:halo:

[Memo]

Soccer is not a sport? How is it NOT a sport?

Plus your statement "most of them from the the pre Magice/Bird era.(sic)" is pretty pointless as we're discussing the best sports team in history. Yes, that means ALL time.

[attgig]

geez.....

i'm impressed that jelo took this long to respond. as for soccer not being a sport...are you referring to the miller highlife commercials? kinda funny, but i bet you all those famous guys on Man U can kick some soccerballs in kobe's face and he wouldn't know what hit him.....because that's what soccers all about. kicking socer balls in other peoples faces.....

ok...time to sleep.

[Grubbie]

In closing soccer is not a sport and baseball is only good when the Dodgers are sneaking in a Penant.And the reason soccer is the most popular sport in the world is...???

[bachviet]

[QUOTE=the jello is jigglin]

In closing soccer is not a sport and baseball is only good when the Dodgers are sneaking in a Penant.
QUOTE]


And the reason soccer is the most popular sport in the world is...???
Like I said before, "Arguing with jel is worse than talking to a wall." :boxing:

[Merlin]

In closing soccer is not a sport
I gotta agree with that. I mean really any sport that both Mexico AND Italy are good at can't be legit. The best part is watching players who are actually smoking on the sidelines.

[zenbooty]

I gotta agree with that. I mean really any sport that both Mexico AND Italy are good at can't be legit.Xenophobe.
The best part is watching players who are actually smoking on the sidelines.What about baseball players chewing tobacco while playing on the field? How's that any better? :shrug:

[nickel]

Xenophobe. What about baseball players chewing tobacco while playing on the field? How's that any better? :shrug:
do baseball players still chew? it must be a small percentage. i think most of them are chewing on sunflower seeds.

i have a nice book with pictures of a baseball player who chewed tobacco with half of his jaw now removed due to cancer. it ain't pretty. :disa:

[Showtime]

Chewing = mouth cancer.
Smoking = mouth, lung, etc. cancers and shortness of breath. Not good for athletes or anyone else IMO. I remember Vlade Divac used to smoke breaks when we drafted his sorry ass.
The main reason soccer is so popular around the world is because us Americans don't dominate it. If we did dominate soccer, some other obscure pretend sport like that ice game where they sweep the ice would become the world fav. Ha Ha!

USA USA USA USA!!!

-jel:halo:

[ray]

I gotta agree with that. I mean really any sport that both Mexico AND Italy are good at can't be legit.

1919 Black Sox
NCAA Boosters (ie: Chris Webber)
1978-1979 Boston College Scandal
Jack Molinas
Arizona State 1997
Boston College 1996
Maryland 1995
Northwestern 1994
Bryant College 1992
Maine 1992
Florida 1989

Would like me to continue pointing out other scandals involving "legit" sports? By your logic, baseball, football and basketball should also be given the "not a sport" title

[Merlin]

What about baseball players chewing tobacco while playing on the field? How's that any better? :shrug:
Chew, however disgusting it may be doesn't hinder your performance. Smoking does.

[attgig]

and since when did soccer players smoke on the sidelines?

how about players like oliver miller (of old) being considered an athlete.
or pretty LARGE baseball players - like Mo Vaughn...who obviously is no longer playing...
or even "atheletes" smoking pot & snorting crack?

[Showtime]

Oliver Miller isn't an athlete? He's mostly a big body used to fill the lane, but did you catch his dunk? Not bad for a 350+ obese dude. Crack is good for athletes, it gets them going. ;)

-jel:halo:

[ray]

Yeah, it's not like players in the NBA weren't waist deep in gambling problems, cough, Michael Jordan, cough

[Merlin]

And what is soccer with like 14 year olds playing professionally?

[Airencracken]

Jel, that "ice game" is called curling.

[attgig]

And what is soccer with like 14 year olds playing professionally?
it's better thank an 18 year old getting paid 90 mil before ever stepping foot on a basketball court....

[ray]

And what is soccer with like 14 year olds playing professionally?

And what is with baseball teams developing 14 year olds?

[Showtime]

it's better thank an 18 year old getting paid 90 mil before ever stepping foot on a basketball court....

Nope. That just goes to show the worlds fascination with the worlds greatest athletes. He created more hype/money before leaving high school than most soccer players will their whole careers. Was he worth 90 mil? Yep, so far, he is worth every penny. You see his shoes, clothes and posters everywhere. The last rookie to play as well as he did was Magic Johnson. Magic was better, but he also had a better surrounding cast.

If Lebron stays with Nike and developes his line over the next 20 years, it generate a lot of money for him and Nike. He has to eventually win the big game, but as long as he progresses and can hold the hype like MJ did, it's all money.

-jel:halo:

[bachviet]

And what is soccer with like 14 year olds playing professionally?
Only in the US. If Adu was to be sent to Europe, he will be playing in the "Farm" until he is 16 or 17.